“He brought me out into a spacious place;
he rescued me because he delighted in me.” – Psalm 18:19
At the moment, I wouldn’t say that I am in a “spacious place”. In fact, I feel hemmed in, both socially and physically. The winter has been long and dark, our flat is small and crowded and, while I have many wonderful friends, the culture I am living in feels repressive and sometimes incredibly miserable. I am not in the sunny, open, smiling country that I am used to living in. I have at times been both depressed and distressed.
It is sometimes hard to hear God when we are in a “cramped place”, when we feel hemmed in with no options, no vision and no freedom. It is easy to lose faith, focus and hope. We can’t see the wood for the trees because we have trees right up against our noses!
I find the Psalms at these times really helpful, as well as the counsel of friends who have been through the mill themselves and understand where we are. They can provide support, friendship, counsel and prayer. All very valuable things.
Remembering previous times of trial and how God brought us out of these times is also crucial for our own faith. When God is involved the rescue it is often exciting, miraculous and amazing in the His attention to the detail of our situation. “Jesus love is very wonderful” as the children’s song goes. He delights in us and delights in bringing us into our “spacious place”.
I don’t know when I will be rescued from the current situation I find myself in, but remembering the past, hearing the testimonies of others and reading the Bible are going a long way in strengthening my faith until I am brought into a spacious place once again.
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